Five Days To Go!

There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps action from Wincanton and Carlisle as well as a couple of all-weather flat cards from Southwell and Newcastle.  Stable jockey Tom Scu is in this morning for a couple of lots before heading off to Wincanton where he has picked up a couple of decent looking outside rides.  Meanwhile, over in Ireland it is good to see Ruby Walsh back in the saddle at Thurles ahead of next week's Cheltenham Festival.  He has just one ride and I am sure the order of the day is a clear round, but it will certainly help to blow out the cobwebs.

What do you do if you are jockey that doesn't like the cold weather?  You go to work in Peru.  Leading amateur rider Serena Brotherton has taken a couple of rides at Hipodromo de Monterrico in Lima.  She was only going to spend three days there but enjoyed it so much that she stayed for ten days.  If only I were a few pounds lighter (a bit braver and had some riding ability)!

I wonder what northern trainer Keith Dalgleish saw in Hurricane Hollow who was pulled up lame on his right fore yesterday?  He claimed the horse for £5,000 from Dan Skelton - it will certainly be interesting to see how he fares.

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As usual (and I am guilty of it too) it would seem that we over-rate our own teams.  That was certainly the case yesterday as Spurs lost 2-1 at home to Juventus after taking an early lead.  Manchester City were also beaten by Basel, although at least they go through on aggregate having beaten Basel 4-0 in the first leg.  You wouldn't have been too pleased if you were trying to buy some money with City at 1/7 last night though!  Tonight it is AC Milan versus Arsenal and Milan look worth a wager at 23/20.  Surely they cannot be worse than Arsenal?

Why does the government feel the need to get involved with the Sir Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky inquiry?  The MP gave a damning report and said that they 'crossed the line by using the powerful drug Tramcinolone to enhance performance'.  Why can't the cycling world sort it out for themselves?  Maybe Lord Coe could help?  Meanwhile Mark Cavendish crashed out of the Tirreno-Adriatico team time trial after hitting a pot hole - he should try riding around Brixham!

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The first time I met Mrs Barnes, I knew she was a keeper.  She was wearing massive gloves!  Have a nice day...

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